INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Jenfan Muswere yesterday validated the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) media sector Sexual Harassment draft Policy in Harare saying it would help rid the industry of sex pervets in the media sector.
The function, hosted by the Women In News (WAN-IFRA) was attended by media executives, civil society and media stakeholders.
In launching the policy, Muswere said sexual harassment issues inhibited media industry growth.
“As government, we believe that we do not have a monopoly of knowledge and this is precisely why we are participating at this sexual harassment validation workshop,” he said.
“Of importance, as we develop the Sexual Harassment Policy that will take care of all the shortcomings that we have in terms of the gender policies in all newsrooms in the country, it is very important that we redefine what sexual harassment is. What is the scope? How do we triangulate that we have connected?”
WAN-IFRA deputy executive, Jane Godia lamented the rise in sexual harassment of female journalists.
“We have been training women to gain skills in leadership and newsroom management. We realised that there are barriers to women progressing in the newsroom,” she said. “When we asked around one of the issues that came up was sexual harassment was rife in the media and we decided to conduct research in 2017.
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“The research revealed that 48% of women who are working in the media have experienced either physical or verbal sexual harassment.”
